ellis



Dec. 3, 1929. P, ls 1,737,961

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 2'7, 192'! 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4 55 m 1"151V TOR 57 56 F -Frank P [II 1'5;

Dec. 3, 1929. F. P. ELLIS 1,737,961

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 27, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TAIL 1/6/f7 PARKING l/V/T ATTORNEYS mama Dec. .3, 1929 run I. ELLIS, OI GLEQIDALE, CALIFORNIA.

cmcurr 153mm;

Application filed June 27,

M invention relates generally to circuit brea ers, and it is a purpose of my invention to provide a circuit breaker embodying a mechanism normally tending to open one or more switches with a dela ed action, but restrained against such opening tendency by a certain condition existing in a prime mover, the mechanism being released when such condition changes to assume another condition, 1 and opening the switch or switches after an interval of time has elapsed, whereby the circuits controlled by the switches will be dis-' rupted to prevent useless consumption of current whether the current is employed by the prime mover or some other element.

It is another purpose of my invention to provide a circuit breaker particularly adapted, although not necessarily, for disrupting the ignition and lighting circuits of a motor vehicle when its motor ceases operation,

so that should the operator fail through inadvertence or otherwise to turn oil the ignition of the motor or lights of the vehicle when left parked, for example, the circuit breaker will function automatically to disrupt their circuits and thereby prevent exhausting of and possible injury to the battery of the vehicle.

It is also a purpose of my invention to pro- 80 vide a circuit breaker which embodies a run down device constantly acting to disrupt the ignition and lighting circuits of the vehicle, and capable of being controlled by the vehicles motor in such manner that so lon as the motor is operating, the circuits wil not be afiected, but when the motor ceases operation the run down device will function automatically to disrupt the circuits, the run down device having means for regulating its run down movement so that an interval of time will elapse after the motor ceases operation before the switches will be opened, to the end that should the motor stall the operator will have sufficient time to again start it before the device functions to open the ignition switch.

It is another provide means urpose of vmy invention to or controlling the parking light circuit of the vehicle independently of- I the remaining circuits and operatively associ- 1927. Serial K0. 201,937.

atedwith the run down .device in such manner that winding movement thereof will disrupt the parking light circuit, yet ermitting the circuit to be manually estab ished and maintained when the engine is not operating.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l'is a view illustrating in vertical section one form of circuit breaker embodying my invention, and showing the manner in which the circuit breaker is associated with so the engine of a motor vehicle to control the ignition and lighting circuits of the vehicle;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views illustrating various positions occupied by the ignition and lighting switches in the operation of the circuit breaker;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View illustrating another manner in which my circuit breaker is adapted to be associated with the engine of the vehicle.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which my circuit. breaker is adapted to be incorporated in conventional 7 ignition and lighting circuits of the motor vehicle.

Reference will now be had to the accompanying drawing, in which similar reference characters designate similar parts in each of the several views.

For the purpose of illustration I have shown in the drawing one adaptation of my circuit breaker in which it is em loyed for the purpose of controlling the ignitlon and lighting circuits of a motor vehicle, and is responsive to suction created by the motor when operating to maintain switches in these circuits closed, yet functioning automatically to open the switches and disrupt these circuits when the motor ceases operation.

In its present embodiment my comprises a casing 10 enclosing a luralit of switches designated generally at S an S, the switch S adapted to control the ignition circuit of the motor, the switch S the lighting circuit of the vehicle with the exception of the parking light circuit, which latter is adapted to be controlled by the switch S.

The switches S and S comprise movable invention contact arms 11 and 11', respectively, formed of flexible strap meta secured at one of their ends to studs 12 fix "to and insulated from the cover plate 25 ofthe casin 10, and normally urged into engagement with stationary contacts 14 and 14', respectively, also secured to and insulated from the rear wall.

The switch S in the present instance comprises a contact arm 15 pivoted on and insulated from the cover plate 25 of the casing and adapted to be movedinto or out of engagement with a stationary contact 16 by means of a rod 17 pivotally connected to the arm and having a slot 18 receiving a pin 19 secured to and insulated from the cover plate, the pin and slot connection permitting reciprocatory movement of the rod. The rod is extended from one side of the casing 10 and provided with knob 20 for manual actuation of the switch.

From the movable contact arms and statlonary contacts of the respective switches extend suitable conductors 21, 22 and 23, respectively, which form part of their respective circuits so that the switches Will be interposed in series-in the circuits as clearly shown in Figure 7. The-switchS is in series with the conductor 21 whichleads from one side of a batte B and extends tothe usual spark coil C rom whence current is delivered to the distributor D and then to the spark plugs P which latter are grounded to complete the circuit to the other and ounded side of the battery B The switch 5 is in series with the conductor 22 which leads from one side of the battery B to the head-lights H and tail-light T; and also in series with the conductor 22 is the usual manually operable lighting switch S, so that in order to complete this circuit it is necessary that both the switches S and S be closed. The switch S is in series with the conductor 23 also leading from one side of the battery B and to the usual parking light L so that when the switch S' is closed this circuit will be completed to illuminate the parking light. My circuit breaker,in the present instance, embodies a mechanism housed in the casing 10and constituting a run down device for controlling the movements of the respective contact arms of the switches S, S and S in a manner to be hereinafter described. The run down device comprises a shaft 24 journaled in the rear wall 10 and cover plate 25 of the casing, which shaft is constantly urged to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 by means of a coil spring 26 secured at one end to the shaft and at its other end to a stud 27 secured to the rear wall of the casing.

Fixed to the shaft 24 is an element E in the form of a disk of insulating material having a peripheral projection 28 constituting a cam which is adapted to engage and move the contact arm 11 of the switch S tatably mounted on 1 to that shown in out of engagement with its stationary contact 14 to disrupt the ligh circuit of the vehicle. A second element E f0 part of a manually o rable actuator is in the form of a dis l of insulated material rothe shaft 24 and rovided with a peripheral rojection 29 pted to engage and move t e contact arm 11 of the switc S out of engagement with its stationary contact 14 so as to disrupt the ignition circuit of the vehicle; The elements E and E are provided with inter-engaging ins 30 and 31, resipectivel through the m ium of which the e ement E is adapted to be rotated by the element E in a counter-clockwise direction in response to rotation of the shaft 24 under the urging action of the spring 26 to their respective projections 29 and 28 with the contact arms of the switches S and S, respectively, to move the contact arms and simultaneously open the switches.

The shaft 24 projects from the cover plate 25 and extending axially from the element E and through the cover plate is a sleeve 32 to which is secured in any suitable manner an operating lever 33 by which the element E is adapted to be manually moved from the position shown in Figures 1 and 3 to that shown in Fi re 4. It will be noted that this movement 0 the operating lever efiects corresponding movement of the element E to rotate the shaft 24 in a clockwise direction and wind the spring 26, through the medium of the inter-enga ng pins 30 and 31, this movement of the e ements causing their projections 29 and 28 to disen the contact arms of the switches S an respectively, and thereby permit the switches to close.

The extreme positions of the operati lever 33 are determined by stop pins 34 an 35 secured to the cover p ate in the path of movement of the lever as is clearly shown in Figure 1. The element E is provided with a laterall projecting in 36 ada ted to en a stud 37 fixed to tfe rod 17 o the switc 2 so that manual movement of the element E from the lipsition shown in Figure igure 4'will move the rod in the direction of the arrow (Figure 1) and cause the contact arm 15 to disen age its contact 16 and thus open the switch upon closing of the switches S and S.

Fixed to the shaft 24 is a ratchet wheel 38 engaged by a spring pressed pawl 39 pivoted at 40 on a gear 41 rotatably mounted on the shaft and meshing with a pinion 42 fixed to a second shaft 43 also journaled in the rear wall and cover plate of the casing 10. Fixed to the shaft 43 is a brake drum 44 with which a brake shoe 45 is ada ted to have braking engagement. The bra e shoe is pivotallymounted at 46 on one end of a lever pivoted at 48 on the rear wall of the casing and extending from the latter for operative connec- 40 1 and 3 in WhlCh means inclu tion in the resent instance to a pneumatic sing a diaphragm 49, by means of an arm 50 fixed to the diaphragmand pivotally connected to the extended end of the lever.

Inthe resent embodiment of my invention, the diaphragm 49 is illustrated as forming one wall of t esuction chamber 51'of -a suction 'res onsive device R, and extending from the c amber is a suction pipe 52 leadingto the intake manifold I of the motor M of the vehicle as is clearly shbwn in Figure 1. When the motor is'in operation the suction created in its intake manifold operates to flex "the diaphragm 49 inwardly of the chamber 51 so as to exert a pull upon the lever 47 and cause the brake shoe to have braking. engagement with the brake drum 44, thus preventing rotation of the shaft 24 in its urged direction, through themedium of the pinion 42, gear 41, pawl 39 and ratchet wheel 38, yet permitting manual rotation of the shaft 24 in the other direction. a

Fixed to the shaft 43 is a gear 53 meshing with a pinion 54 fixed to an escapement shaft 55 journale'd in the rear wall and cover plate of the casing 10., Also fixed to the escapement shaft 55 is an esca ement w eel 56 en gaged by a weighted dou le escapement pawl 57 ivoted on a shaft 58 secured to the rear wal of the casing 10. This escapement or governing mechanism constitutes a means for regulating the speed of rotation of the shaft 24 under the unwinding action of the spring 26.

The operation of the circuitbreaker is as I follows:

It will be assumed that the motor M is not in operation and that the elements E and E occupy the position shown in Figures the ignition and lighting switches S and S, respectively, are held open by- -the projections 29 and 28, respectively, of the elements. The operating lever 33 is first manually moved from the pdsition shown in Figures 1 and 3 to theposition shown in .Figure 4, thus rotating the element E (fixed to the operating lever), and, through the medium of the inter-engaging pins 30 and 31 correspondingly rotating the element E and the shaft 24 to wind the spring 26. With the operating lever in the position shown in Figure 4, the elements E and E will have been rotated sufiiciently to disengage their projections 28 and 29, respectively, from the contact arms of the switches S and S, respectively, thus permitting the contact arms to engage their respective stationary contacts 14 and 14 to close the switches as is -clearly shown in this figure.

As the ignition circuit is now completed throu h the switch S, the motor M may be starte in theusual manner. With the motor in operation, the suction created in its intake manifold I will cause the brake shoe 45 to be moved into braking engagement with the brake drum 44 and hence, through the medium of the pinion'42, gear41, pawl 39, and ratchet wheel 38, to restrain the shaft 24 from rotating under the urging action of its spring 26, to thereby maintain the elements E and E in'the position shown in Figure 4 and the switches S and S closed.

As shownin Fig. 7, the switch S constitutes the only controlling switch for the ignition circuit, and that although the li hting circuit is bridged through the switch the conventional manual control switch S for the individual lights of the'vehicle is manipulated in the usual manner and will now be operative to cause the headlights H and taillight T to burn or be extinguished as desired. Should the operator desire to stop the motor the lever 33 is moved from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 5, thus rotating only the element E to cause its projection 29 to again engage and move 11 to the position shown in the contact arm the latter figure, thereby o ening the ignition e ignition circuit.

switch S and disrupting t Upon ceasing of the motors operation,

t e brake'shoe 45 .wlllaccordingly be disengag i from the brake drum 44, thus permitting the shaft 24 to rotate-in response-to the urging action of the spring 26, to thereby restore the element E to the position shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3, so that its projection 28 will again engage and move the contact arm 11 to open the lighting switch S. It will thus be clear that should the operator have failed through inadverten'ce or otherwise to e'xtinguish the lights of the vehicle by manipulation of the conventional manual control switch (previously mentioned) the disrupting of the lighting circuit will be automatically effected by the elementE so that the lights will be extinguished and exhausting of the battery of the vehicle from this source positively'prevented.

In the'event that the motor should stall and the operator fail to disrupt the ignition circuit by manually moving the operating lever 33 from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figures ment of the element E just described will antomatically actuate lever 33 through the medium of the inter-engaging pins 30 and 31 so that both of the elements will be restored to the position shown in Figure 1, to accordingly open both the ignition and lighting switches, thus rendering it impossible for either of the switches to remain closed after the motor ceases operation and unnecessarily discharging or possibly damaging the battery.

As the ratchet wheel 38 is fixedto the shaft 24, it will be clear that upon rotation of the shaft in response to the urging action of the spring 26, the gear 41 will be driven through the pawl 39, thus rotating the shafts 43 and 1 and 3, the move a manually operable actuator for closing the so 'thus preventing the unnecessary through the connecting train of gearin and driving the escapement wheel 56, whic with its pawl 57, functions to regulate the speed of rotation of the shaft 24, to the end that an interval of time will elapse after the motor ceases operation before the shaft 24 has been rotated sufliciently to cause the elements E and E to open the switches S and S. This delayed action of the run down device is of particular advantage should the motor stall as the operator will have sufiicient time to again-start the motor before the ignition sw1tch is automaticall opened, thus eliminating the necessity o the operator manual] moving the operating lever 33 to switch 0 stalls.

As previously described, the rotation of the element E by the operating lever 33 to the position shown in Figure 4 will cause movement of the rod 17 through the medium of the pin 36 and stud 37 to .open the switch S so that when the switches S and S are closed the switch S will automatically be opened to disrupt the parking li ht circuit, urnin of the parking li ht P during operation 0 the vehicle over'tfie'road. However, when the element E occupies the position shown in Figures 1 and 3, the operator can press upon the knob 20 to close the switch S, and thus burn the parking li ht when the switches S and S are open and the vehicle is parked.

In Figure 6 I have illustrated the manner in which the run down device is adapted to be associated with the motor when it is desired to employ its oil pump (not shown) to control the operation of t 0 device. In this instance a pipe leading from the pressure side of the oil pump is connected to the suction responsive device R so as to be in communication with its chamber 51. It will be clear that as long as the motor is in operation the pressure created in the chamber 51 by the oil pump will cause the diaphragm49 to be flexed outwardly of the chamber, and throu h the arms 50 and lever 47 maintain the bra e shoe 45 in braking engagement with the drum 44.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of circuit breaker embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modification may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope'of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A circuit breaker comprising a switch,

switch, a run down device operatively associated with the actuator for winding thereby in response to movement of the actuator to close the switch, said device, when wound, constant] acting to open the switch, and

means a apted for association with a prime run osing position every time the motor d mover to restrain said device from long as the prime mover is in operation, whereby when the prime mover w. to operate, said device will operate the actuator to open the switch.

2. A circuit breaker com a switch, a down device constant y acting to open the switch, and means adapted for association with a prime mover to restrain said deyioe from actin so long as the prime mover is in operation, w ereby when the rime mover ceases to operate, said device wi act to open the switch, said last means comprising a brake drum operatively associated with said device, a brake shoe adapted to engage said hragm operatively connected to adapted to respond to pressure created by the prime mover to effect ongagement of said shoe with said drum.

3. A circuit breaker com rising a switch, a run down device constant y acting to open the switch, and means adapted for association with a prime mover to restrain said device from acting so lon as the prime mover is in operation, where y when the prime mover ceases to operate, said device Wlll act to open the switch, said last means com rising braking means operatively associated with the ru n down device and active so long as the prime mover is in operation, and means operatively associated with th means for rendering the latter inactive when operation of the prime mover ceases.

4. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches adapted respectively to control ignition'and lighting circuits of a motor veicle, a device normally tending to move to one position to open the lighting switch and movable to a second position to close the lighting switch, a manually operable actuator movable to one position to o n the ignition switch and to another position to close the ignition switch, means operable when said device moves to switch opening position to move said actuator to its switch opening position and operable when said actuator is moved to its switch closing position to move said device to switch closin position, and means adapted to be contro led by the vehicles motor, operable when the motor is in operation to restrain said device from acting to open the lighting switch.

5. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches adapted respectively to control ignition and lighting circuits of a motor vehicle, a device normally tending to move to one sition to open the lighting switch and mova hie to a second position to close the lighting switch, a manually operable actuator movable to one position to open the ignition switch and to another position to'close the ignition switch, means operable when said device moves to switch opening position to move said actuator to its switch opening position and operable when said actuator is moved to its switch closing position to move said device to switch closing position, means adapted to be controlled by the vehicles motor, operable when the motor is in operation to restrain said device from acting to open the lighting switch, and rendering the device free to act to open the lighting switch when operation of the motor ceases, and means for so regulatin the movement of said device to its switc opening position as to cause an interval of time to elapse after the motor ceases operation beforetheswitches will be opened.

6. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches adapted respectively to control ignition and lighting circuits of a motor vehicle, rotary means movable to one position to open the lighting switch and to another position to close the lighting switch, spring means constantly acting to move the rotary means to its switch opening position, a rotary manually operable actuator movable toone position to open the ignition switch and to another position to close the ignition switch, co-acting means on the rotary means and actuator, operable in re-- sponse to movement of the rotary means to switch opening position to move the actuator to its switch opening position and operable in response to movement of the actuator to switch closing position to move the rotary means to its switch closing position, and means adapted for association with the vehicles motor, responsive to suction created by the motor when in operation, to retain the rotary means in its switch closing position a ainst the action of the spring means.

7 l circuit breaker as embodied in claim 4 wherein the first mentioned means is corre lated with the device and actuator in such manner that the actuator can be moved to its switch opening position independent of movement of the device to its switch opening position. I

'8. A circuit breaker as embodied in claim 4 including a switch adapted to control a parking light circuit of the vehicle, and means operatively associated with the parking light switch and actuator for moving the parking 1 light switch to open position upon movement of the actuator to its switch closin position.

9. A circuit breaker as embodie in claim 4 wherein said last means comprises a brake drum operatively associated with said device,

. a brake shoe engageable with said drum, a

diaphragm operatively connected to the shoe and operable'when the vehicles motor is in operation to move the shoe into engagement with the drum. Y

10. A- circuit breakercomprising a pair of switches adapted respectively to control ignition and lighting circuits of a motor vehicle, a device normally tending to open the lighting switch, manua ly operable means for opening and closing the ignition switch, means operable upon opening of the lighting switch,

to'actuate said manually operable means and cause the latter to open the ignition switch, and operable upon closing of the ignition switch by the manually operable means to close the lightin switch against the normal tendency o the device, and means adapted to be controlled by the vehicles motor to restrain said device from opening the lighting switch when the motor is in operation.

11. A circuit breaker as embodied in claim 10 wherein the means for actuating the manually operable means is so correlated with the latter and said device that the manually operable means can be actuated to open the ignition switch when the lighting switch is maintained closed by the motor controlled means.

12. A circuit breaker as embodied in claim 10 including a switch adapted to control a parking light circuit of the vehicle, and means operatively associated with the parking light switch and manually operable means for opening the parking light switch .upon actuation of the manually operable means to close the ignition switch.

- 13. A circuit breaker comprising .a pair of switches adapted respectively to control ignition and lighting circuits of a motor vehicle, a device normally tending to 0 en the lighting switch, means adapted to e controlled by the vehicles motor for restraining said device from acting to open the lighting switch when the motor is in operation, and means operable in response to opening of the lightin switch to open the ignition switch. 14. circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches adapted respectively to control ignition and lighting circuits of a motor vehicle, a device normally tending to 0 en the lighting switch, means adapted to e controlled by the vehicle s motor for restraining said devlce from acting to open the lighting switch when the motor is in operation, manually operable means for opening and closing the ignition switch, and means operable in response to opening of the lighting switch, to open the ignition switch, yet'rendering the latter free to be opened by the manually operable means, while the lighting switch is maintained closed. 15. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches" ada ted respectively to control ting circuits of a motor ve- 16. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches adapted respectively to control ignition and lighting circuits of a motor vehicle, a device normally tending to open the lighting switch, means adapted to be controlled by the vehicles motor for restraining said device from acting to open the lighting switch when the motor is in operation, manually operable means for opening and closing the ignition switch, means operable in response to opening of the lighting switch, to open the ignition switch, a third switch adapted to control a parking light circuit of the vehicle, and means operable in response to closing of the ignition switch by the manually operable means to open the parking light switch., p

17. A circuit breaker comprising a switch, a device for opening the switch, a manually operable actuator for opening and closing the switch and so operatively connected to said device as to render the latter operative to tend to open the switch when the actuator is moved to close the switch, and means adapted for association with a prime mover to restrain said device from opening the switch when the prime mover is in operation.

18. A circuit breaker comprising a switch, a device for opening the switch, a manually operable actuator for opening and closing the switch and so operatively connected to said device as to render the latter operative to tend to open the switch when the actuator is moved to close the switch, yet rendering the actuator free to open the switch independently of the device, and means adapted for association with a prime mover to restrain said device from opening the switch when the prime mover is in operation.

19. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches, each of which includes a movable contact arm and a stationary contact, a shaft, a spring connected to the shaft for constantly urging the latter to rotate in one direction, an element fixed to the shaft and having means adapted during rotation of the shaft in its urged direction to engage and move the contact arm of one of the switches and open its contacts, a manually operable actuator comprising a second element rotatable on the shaft and having means adapted to engage and move the arm of the other switch to open its contacts, an operative connection between the elements for transmitting movement of one element to the other so that movement of the first element in response to rotation of the shaft in its urged direction will impart corresponding movement to the second element and thereby open the contacts of both switches and manual movement of the second element in the other direction will correspondingly move the first element to wind said spring and close the contacts of both switches and means adapted for association with a prime mover operable when the latter is in operation to restrain the shaft against movement in its urged direction and thereby maintain the switches closed, whereby when the prime mover ceases operation the spring will be free to rotate the shaft, and throu h the medium of the elements open t e switches.

20. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches, each of which includes a movable contact arm and a stationary contact, a shaft, a spring connected to the shaft for constantly urging the latter to rotate in one direction, an

element fixed to the shaft and having means adapted during rotation of the shaft in its urged direction to engage and move the contact arm of one of the switches and open its contacts, a manually operable actuator comprising a second element rotatable on the shaft and having means adapted to engage and move the arm of the other switch to open its contacts, an operative connection between the elements for transmitting movement of one element to the other so that movement of the first element in response to rotation of the shaft in its urged direction will impart corresponding movement to the second element and thereby open the contacts of both switches and manual movement of the second element in the other direction will correspondingly move the first element to wind said spring and close the contacts of both switches, a ratchet fixed to the shaft, a gear fixed to the shaft, a pawl carried by the gear and engaging the teeth of the ratchet so as to rotate the gear in response to movement of the shaft in its urged direction yet permitting movement of the shaft in the other direction independently of the gear to wind the spring, and means adapted for association with a prime mover operable when the latter is in operation to restrain the gear against movement and thereby maintain the switches closed, whereby when the prime mover ceases operation the spring will be free to rotate the shaft and gear and through the medium of the elements, open the switches.

21. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches, each of which includes a movable contact arm and a stationary contact, a shaft, a spring connected to the shaft for constantly urging the latter to rotate in one direction, an element fixed to the shaft and having means adapted during rotation of the shaft in its urged direction to engage and move the contact arm of one of the switches and open its contacts, a manually operable actuator comprising a second element rotatable on the shaft and having means adapted to engage and move the arm of the other switch to open its contacts, an operative connection between the elements for transmitting movement of one element to the other so that movement of the first element in response to rotation of the shaft in its urged direction will impart corresponding movement to the second element and thereby open the contacts of both switches and manual movement of the second element in the other direction will correspondingly -move the first element to wind said spring and close thecontacts of both switches, a ratchet fixed to the shaft, a gear fixed to the shaft, a pawl carried by the gear and engaging the teeth of the ratchet so as to rotate the gear in response to movement of the shaft in its urged direction yet permitting movement of the shaft in the other direction independently of the gear to wind the spring, a second shaft operatively connected to the gear, a brake drum on the second shaft, a brake shoe adapted to engage the drum, and a diaphragm operatively connected to said shoe adapted for assoc ation with a prime mover in a manner to respond to suction created by the prime mover when in operation to maintain said shoe in engagement with said drum to thereby restrain the first shaft from movement and maintain the switches closed, whereby when the prime mover ceases operation the shoe will disengage the drum and render the shaft free to move to its urged position and open the switches.

22. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches, each of which includes a movable contact arm and a stationary contact, a shaft,

a spring connected to the shaft for constantly urging the latter to rotate in one direction, an element fixed to the shaft and having means adapted during rotation of the shaft in its urged direction to engage and move the contact arm of one of the switches and open its contacts, a manually operable actuator comprising a second element rotatable on the shaft and having means adapted to engage and move the arm of the other switch to open its contacts, an operative connection be tween the elements for "transmitting. movement of one element to the other so that movement of the first element in response to rotation of the shaft in its urged direction will impart corresponding movement to the second element and thereby open the contacts of both switches and manual movement of the second element in the other direction will correspondingly move the first element to wind said spring and close the contacts of both switches, means adapted for association with a prime mover operable when the latter is in operation to restrain the shaft against movement in its urged direction and thereby main tain the switches closed, wulrixereby when the prime mover ceases operati the spring will be free to rotate the shaft, 'and through the medium of the elements, open the switches, and means for regulating the movement of the shaft in its urged direction so that an in- .terval of time will elapse after the prime mover ceases operation before the, switches will be opened.

23. A circuit breaker comprising a pair of switches, each of which includes a movable contact arm and a stationary contact, a shaft, a spring connected to the shaft for constantly urging the latter to rotate in one direction, an element fixed to the shaft and having means adapted during rotation of the shaft in its urged direction to engage and move the contact arm of one of the switches and open its contacts, a manually operable actuator comprising a second element rotatable on the shaft and having means adapted to engage and move the arm of the other switch to open its contacts, an operative connection between the elements for transmitting movement of one element to the other so that movement of the first element in response to rotation of the shaft in its urgeddirection will impart corresponding movement to the second element and thereby open the contacts of both switches and manual movement of the second element in the other direction will correspondingly move the first element to wind said spring and close the contacts of both switches, means adapted for association with a prime mover operable when the latter is in operation to restrain the shaft against movement inits urged direction and thereby maintain the switches closed, whereby when the prime mover ceases operation the spring will be free to rotate the shaft, and through the mediumof the elements, open the switches, a third switch comprising a movable contact arm and a stationary contact, and an operative connection between the contact arm and said second element for opening'said third switch when said second element is moved to close its respective switch.

FRANK P. ELLIS. 

